Chapel at the Dwight Grottoes

A 5"x7" nitrate negative, photograph of the interior of the chapel at the Dwight Grottoes of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dwight, Nebraska. A white marble, cloth-draped altar with spiraled onyx upper columns supporting a triangular pediment with a cross at the peak and painted religious symbols and a picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help in red marble in the center with ornately carved candelabras to each side and a life-size statue of St. Cecilia depicting her martyrdom, lying face down on her side dressed in a long black robe in the lower, glass-enclosed and draped reliquary with marble columns at each side, in the small painted-brick chapel with steeply pitched ceiling.

The grottoes and small chapel were the idea of Father Benedict Bauer O.S.B., pastor at Dwight from 1931-1943. During his studies for the priesthood, Father Bauer prayed to Mary for help and vowed to build a shrine in her honor if he became a priest. Shortly after arriving in Dwight, Father Bauer realized that the parish grounds between the church and school were ideal for such a shrine. The grottoes and shrine were built with the help of parishioners and dedicated October 28, 1934. The small chapel measures 9 feet by 10 feet, seats four people, and is one of the smallest functioning churches in the world. The grottoes contain three main shrines with large statues, rock garden and fountains.